Welcome to ThinkVail – shop our list of the best water trough heaters for horses featuring submersible heaters, floating heaters, drain plug heaters, solar tank heaters, integrated de-icers, corner waterers, outside heated waterers and more.
Explore 10 solutions to keep your horse’s water trough or bucket free of ice all winter long so you can work less and ride more!
Here in Colorado, we have almost as many cowboys as we have skiers. We love our horses, and look forward to long rides in the mountains no matter the season. What we don’t like, is trying to keep our stock tanks and buckets free of ice and snow during our long, cold, winters. That is where heated de-icers come into the picture, this time-saving invention makes ranch life soooooo much easier.
These heaters lie at the bottom of the tank, so the element stays deep in the water and out of the way. But the cord will come up out of the tank to plug in. Look for a cord that is wired wrapped to deter horses from chewing on it or playing on it. In the past, this types only worked with metal tanks because the heating element was so close to the bottom of the tank, it could melt a plastic tub. However, today many submersible heaters also include a wire guard so it can safely work in both, just confirm that the manufacturer of your particular heater states it is safe to use with both. Always plug deicer into a GFI outlet to prevent your horse getting shocked.
Designed for safe use with plastic or poly tanks. Instead of sinking to the bottom they float on top of the water. Be warned, if you have curious horse that likes to play they may try to take the heater out of the tank or try to chew on it. Again always plug deicer into a GFI outlet to prevent your horse getting shocked.
If you only need to keep a bucket of water warm and not an entire stock tank de-iced then this is a great solution. You will still need to manually fill the bucket every day but your bucket will stay free of ice so your horse can always drink from it, even on the coldest nights. Look for a bucket with a hidden compartment to store the cord out of the way during the summer months.
By far the most easy and convenient way to continually de-ice your stock tanks for years. However, it is a very intensive one-time set-up and it needs to be professionally installed with someone who has knowledge about plumbing, electricity and concrete. Once set up you can fill your tank automatically from your water line while using a float and when winter comes, just flip a switch to turn on the heat. Look for thermostatic control or an adjustable thermostat with this type to control electric costs.
An innovative, environmental and economical solution that eliminates the need for electrical outlets and cords. The passive power of the sun keeps your tank ice free even during cloudy days. They can either be automatic waterers, tied into your water line or manual drinkers, meaning you must use a hose to keep them full. They are easy to use and will last for years and years.
The larger the tank and the colder the climate the higher the wattage you will need. Here in Colorado I never use less than a 1500 watt heater to keep tanks clear of ice and keep my horses drinking all winter long.
Means the heater turns on when the surrounding air reaches a specified temperature and turns of when the air reaches another specific temperature. In short, a thermostatically controlled shutoff only heats below a certain temperature. This saves lots of money on your electricity costs throughout the winter
A heated tank that is not grounded can leak voltage or stray current into any water around the tank. If your horses are reluctant to drink from the heated tank, check the water with a volt meter. If needed, ground the water tank so horses don’t get shocked, especially if they are wearing metal shoes. You can purchase a grounding kit or easily make one yourself.
See Also: Best Winter Horseback Riding Apparel
Behlen Country makes innovative, flawlessly functional and super resilient items to make ranch life easier. This heavy-duty heater is definitely more involved to install but there are no cords and wires for your horse to chew on and if it is installed correctly by a professional, no chance of your horse getting shocked.
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We all know how important fresh water is for our horses, especially in the winter. This Allied Precision tank side heater and de-icer keeps larger sized metal stock tanks ice free all winter long. Very easy heater to install with a low profile but there still is a power cord that curious horse may chew on.
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This is the perfect solution for the corner installation of an automatic, heated drinker in boxed stalls but it can also be installed outdoors so its very versatile and makes life so much easier. Granted you do not want to be installing this in January as this should be professionally installed, is fairly maintenance free and easy to maintain.
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API® has been a trusted name in heated ranch products for over 65 years. No matter what the season, they provide innovative, durable solutions for your horse. This heated bucket will need to be filled with fresh water daily but it will keep the water from freezing. If your horse loves flipping buckets, this is not the choice for you, especially if not hanging on the wall.
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Ritchie automatic waterers are built for longevity and the OmniFount series features a selection of six different models, so you will be sure to find the perfect one, with all the right features for you and your horse or horses.
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Farm Innovators has the broadest and most complete line of de-icers on the market. This is the most powerful de-icer available and is perfect for cold weather barns and ranches. Very affordable and super easy to use, just plug it in and toss it into your trough to keep ice away. Use as a submersible for naughty horses that might play with it or use the floating option if your horse isn’t a chewer and will leave it alone.
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SunTanks offer a big leap in de-icing technology. These tanks keeps ice away through solar power. They have been used successfully throughout the United States and Canada to rave reviews. SunTanks has received The Horse Journal “Product of the Year” for their innovative products. This is perfect for horses that spend most of their time out in the field and not in a barn.
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This is the traditional, classic, affordable, workhorse of de-icers that we all know and love. These old-fashioned, bomb-proof heaters are always reliable. They do not have a super long life but you should get 2-4 years of reliable service and ice free water for your horse.
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A drain plug de-icer is the ideal solution for curious horses that like to chew. The element naturally lies at the very bottom of the tank in a dedicated hole and out of the way. The cord comes out at the bottom of the back of the tank so its easy to keep out of the way. A very affordable and safe solution for mischievous or mouthy horses but works great for almost any horse.
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I love this little invention it works great on horse trough deicers that are not thermostatically controlled or thermostatically controlled at a higher temperature. But they are also great for heat tape, pump house, unheated rooms, heated cat & dog beds. They are wonderful for cutting wintertime electricity costs, and you will find endless uses for these Thermo cubes.
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See Also: Best Winter Gear for Horse & Rider
We hope you found this article about the best water trough heaters for horses helpful. What is your favorite stock tank de-icing solution? Do you prefer professionally installed stock heaters with electricity, water and a concrete pad or do you lean towards a submersible or floating deicer that can be removed in the summer?
Does your horse constantly play with the de-icer or try to chew on it? We would love to hear your thoughts, comments and stories and please let us know if there is a solution you love that is not on this list. Thanks for reading.
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